X's and O's: North Star

LaxLessons.com shares some highlights from their online playbook that add a successful twist to any offensive arsenal

The game’s tied 9-9 with 20 seconds left. Coach calls a timeout to draw up that golden play. Do you have that 'go-to' play? Here’s one any fan might have seen run in DI a couple times, requiring two savvy attackmen and great timing.

The “North Star” play begins with the players in a 2-3-1 offensive formation with the ball starting to the goalies back left with A2. A2 initiates the play with a dodge up the left side to goalline extended, where he then turns to make his way back around the cage toward A1.

As A2 makes his move toward A1, A1 also makes his way toward A2. The dodging attackman A2 underhand flips the ball to the other attackman, A1, cutting just outside of him. Attackman A1, now with the ball, cycles through his progression of looks:

1. Crease attackman A3 comes off a pick from M2, the ballside middie, for a quick shot.

2. Inside to the middie M2 who, after setting the pick, slips inside for a quick finish.

3. Skip pass crossfield to middie M1 for a time-and-room shot or dodge down the alley.

As the dodge takes place, the middies up top—M1 and M3—should switch and keep their defensemen obligated so they can't help out on the inside feeds.

This play works really well if executed properly; the key to success, as in all plays, is timing. The ideal use for this play is when a team has possession and needs a quick goal, typically at the end of a quarter, or off an endline restart.

For more from LaxLessons.com founder and IL writer Ryan Rabidou, go to LaxLessons.com and InsideLacrosse.com.